A Show That Rocks

The Tulsa Rock, Mineral and Gem Show will be held July 11-13 at the Tulsa Fairgrounds.

Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society (TRMS) members Liz and Ben Thomas display some of their favorite finds.

The Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society’s (TRMS) annual show at the Tulsa Fairgrounds promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Liz Thomas is publicity director for the show. “This year we are pleased to announce that TRMS is hosting the national conference for our parent organization, the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS),” said Liz. The conference will be held in conjunction with the show, and Thomas said this will put a national spotlight on Oklahoma.

The event will be held July 11-13 in Central Park Hall on the Tulsa State Fairgrounds. The theme will be “Rocks and Gems of Indian Territory.”

According to Liz, “When TRMS learned we had won the right to host the 2014 conference, we decided we wanted to use this opportunity to showcase not only the work of TRMS but also to use this as an opportunity to promote the amazing array of different products that bear the ‘Made in Oklahoma’ brand.”

Liz said delegates to the conference will receive gift bags stuffed with a wide array of Oklahoma-made items including Head Country BBQ Sauce, a gift set from Tulsa’s own Grandma’s Pure and Natural Soaps, and a selection of syrups, jellies and jams from Griffin’s, just to name a few.

Liz’s husband Ben Thomas is co-chair for the show and conference. “Usually we have from 1,000 to 1,500 people at our annual shows. This year because of the conference, we are expecting to at least double that number,” he said.

While the conference is for delegates, the show itself is open to the public, and Ben said there will be displays, demonstrations, activities, and lectures designed to entertain and inform both avid rock hounds and the general public.

“One of the big things this year will be a sluice where the public can purchase bags of mine ore that has been seeded with gems. The ore is put on screens and the dirt is then washed away in a ‘stream,’” said Ben. Slushers get to keep any gems they find, and for an additional fee, lapidaries will be on hand to offer their skills to turn any special finds into jewelry.
Another special event at this year’s show and conference will be daily talks delivered by Steve Arnold, co-host of the Discovery Channel show “Meteorite Men.”

Demonstrations at the show will include lapidary arts such as gem cutting and polishing, as well as flint knapping, the ancient art of making arrow heads.

Ben said the best rock, gem and mineral dealers from around the country will be on hand to sell their wares, and dealer provided door prizes will be awarded every hour.

Single day adult admission to the event is $6, three day passes are $10, and children under 12 get in free. Scouts, military, police and fire department members in uniform will also receive free admission.

For more information about the show, you can contact Liz or Ben Thomas at (918) 486-3788 or visit www.ttownrockhound.org.

For more information, contact

Tulsa Rock, Mineral and Gem Show

(918) 486-3788

www.ttownrockhound.org